Northern economies are likely to benefit from a £30bn boost from the development of a supply hub in the Bowland Shale, UK, a new report from Peel Gas & Oil has revealed.
Entitled ‘Shale Gas – Creating a Supply Hub for the Bowland Shale,’ the report said that development of a supply chain to support the industry could also support 13,000 jobs, which is more than double the amount than without a supply hub.
The figures are based on the development of 100 well pad sites in the Bowland Shale, an area covering the Midlands and the North of England, which is expected to generate a spend of around £30bn up to 2048.
Published by Amion Consulting, the report claimed that development of a co-located supply chain could see the Bowland Shale area retain twice the amount of this expenditure in the region than without a supply hub.
Peel Gas & Oil managing director Myles Kitcher said: “Creating a prosperous supply chain to service the Bowland Shale could be transformational in driving the Northern Powerhouse economies.
“The findings of this report demonstrate the huge benefits that are on offer but we need to act quickly or we risk losing out to other countries who are already active in the sector.”
Peel Ports chief executive officer Mark Whitworth said: “Peel Ports has extensive experience of handing steel, aggregates and mechanical items as a terminal operator.
“With the strategic assets and infrastructure already in place in the region, we are best placed to support the development of a supply chain for the industry and help make the most of the Bowland Shale for the benefit of the North.”
The report also identified that the Bowland Shale, and in particular the Ocean Gateway area stretching from the port of Liverpool to Manchester, are likely to become a UK and international ‘centre of excellence’.
